“Dad?” She stomps the toe of her shoe on the floor.
“Sorry, dear.” His eyes twinkle as he makes his way to the door. When he has his hand on the knob, he turns and faces us. “Your mom and I are thrilled with the prospect of–”
“Dad.” Her jaw flexes as she throws her arm in the air, pointing at the exit. “Go.”
“Yes, dear.” He chuckles and leaves, but not before turning around and winking.
“Damn him.” She crosses her arms over her chest as the door closes behind him.
“Babe.” I wrap my arms around her waist, lifting her off the ground. “I don’t care how I find out. I’m over the moon about having a baby with you.”
“Fine,” she sighs and slings her arms around my neck. “He’s right. We’re pregnant. I found out this afternoon and was going to tell you tonight when we got home, but of course, my dad had to stick his nose into it and tell you before I had the chance to.”
“Are you feeling, okay?”
“Perfect. Tired but perfect.”
“And you’re okay with having a baby this soon?”
“Of course.” She cups my face and studies me. “I’m the luckiest woman in the world. I have you. I have a great job. I have an amazing best friend who will be thrilled to be an aunt. And now, we’re having a baby. I can’t wait. You’ve been so amazing with me, teaching me how to stand up for myself. You’re going to be a fabulous, kickass dad.”
“Thank you. But I didn’t do anything. You were amazing without me. I just nudged you in the right direction. You were already volunteering here. You earned your degree. They were already begging you to take the job. I didn’t do any of that.”
“I guess you’re right.” She rubs against me, and our pact to cease public displays of affection goes out the window. If she gets fired, we’ll start our own women’s shelter.
I smash my mouth against her and haul her upward until her legs are wrapped around me. She’s wrong. I’m not the best thing that ever happened to her. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.
I drop her to her feet and lower to my knees, pressing my hand over her belly. “Hello, my sweet angel. Daddy can’t wait to meet you. And….” I smile at her. “Be as ridiculously crazy as your grandfathers.”
“How about half as crazy?” She runs her fingers through my hair.
“Deal.” I wink as joy floods over me. “We’ll stop right before we get certifiable.”
“Deal.”
I jump up and cradle her face with one hand while digging into my pocket with the other. “I love you.” I slip out a black box, pop it open, and place it in between us.
Her eyes widen as she takes in the diamond nestled inside. The 2-carat round diamond is surrounded by pear-shaped marquise jewels, making it look like her namesake. “Daisy Rowan Adler, will you marry me?”
She arches her eyebrows. “Were you waiting to see if I could get pregnant before asking?”
“Wench.” I roll my eyes. “No, I wasn’t waiting to see if you got pregnant. I custom ordered it, and it didn’t get completed until today.”
“In that case.” She snatches it out of the box and shoves it on her finger. “I’ll take it.” She studies it and then waggles her eyebrows. “I can’t wait until Heather sets her sights on this ring.”
“Are you only saying yes to flaunt it in front of your cousin?” I walk her backward until she’s pressed into the counter.
“Maybe.” She shrugs and laces her fingers into my hair. “What do you say to Heather as a bridesmaid? She’d look amazing in handcuffs and a god-awful bridesmaid’s gown.”
“Over my dead body.” I sweep down and claim my fiancée’s gorgeous pink pouty mouth and make plans on how I’m going to punish her for teasing me. I’m not her filthy professor for nothing. The woman needs to be taught a lesson.
Epilogue
Daisy
Three Years Later
I smile and wave at Zoe as I juggle a baby carrier, my purse, and a diaper bag while leading my toddler toward her booth. Having two kids under two is a struggle. Alexander wasn’t lying when he said he was determined to make me pregnant. But I love it and wouldn’t change it for anything. He’s a wonderful and attentive husband and father.